Impractical Jokers: The Movie Review

Come summer time, it will be five years since I first got hooked onto Impractical Jokers. It waned within a year, but there's always highlights in the episodes. The group's movie is nothing more than being a bigger, more expanded version of the show. Judging by the plot, it had a route similar to what Jackass had with Bad Grandpa, but still in that light tone.

In the 90s, Joe, Sal, Q, and Murr all disguise as security guards to go to a Paula Abdul concert. Things go south really fast and a riot ensues . Twenty five plus years later, and Abdul spots them and sends an invite to a concert in Miami. One problem is that there are only three lanyards. As they drive down, they do hidden camera challenges and the one who loses the most does not go to the concert. Very simple story weaved in with real reactions.

Each Joker gets an opportunity to shine on their own with a challenge along with the group challenges offered. There's a decent balance between getting to the story and having the challenges. Nothing was notably cringeworthy, though one can be seen as embarrassing. It's nothing gut busting, but the humor involved will have you laughing constantly. The fact that they are doing this stuff in public and the reactions from strangers. It's an extended version of the show and the scope is bigger. They don't go that overboard in trying to have movie versions of the challenges.

With the scripted material, it's more than passable. I couldn't tell a huge difference between what was real and what was scripted. The Jokers acting is believable. I didn't find anything too cheesy. It ran by pretty quickly. No filler plots or anything. Just an overall funny movie that probably won't last too long in the theater. Definitely go see Impractical Jokers: The Movie. An adaptation that hits the marks very well.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Mean Pranks

There has been some criticism lately over this new Netflix show, Prank Encounters. It has something to do with pranking people who unknowingly think there's a job to be had when there is not. Even before it's debut, it was getting a lot of heat. I can't say anything regarding it since I don't watch Netflix, but it is a bit different from other prank shows.

The closest thing I can think of is Jackass. It was more than just pranking, though. You had stunts with skateboards, bikes, getting hurt. Friends hurting each other. Very rarely in the movies did they do stuff to the public like the golf course air horn in the first or the grandpa bit in the second. I don't think those guys were too vicious, but it could if they wanted to.

Of course, we got Impractical Jokers. That focus is entirely on making the group of four embarrassed to do what they are told to do. They refuse, they lose. It is rather light hearted, which is shocking, but that's not a bad thing. There are times where they do believe they go out of line, hence the losing and even some of the punishments. I'm talking the tarantula punishment, skydiving out of a plane, acting like a superhero on a cable car. Some of them, while not overly vicious, can be a little dangerous.

If people are aware of the prank, they will have their face shown. If they don't, they'll be blurred. I just think people don't want to see others get screwed when it comes to jobs. Maybe the episodes aren't too bad and it is not given a chance. I don't know. But who knows. It could have an effect on Prank Encounters and how long it lasts.